Spring suspension of vehicles



Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,151

I L. E. COWEY SPRING SUSPENSION OF VEHICLES Filed Oct. 5, 1921 i Sheets-Sheet 1 I J 2W2. 6- f j g 75 v 6 izi m1! 1 \ifl I j Aug. 18,, 1925. 1,550,151

L. E. COWEY srnme SUSPENSION 0F VEHICLES @1166. Oct. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Aug. 18, 1925.

1,550,151 L. E. cowEY SPRING SUSPENSION OF VEHICLES Filed Oct. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug-l8, 1925. 1 1,550,151

L. E. COWEY SPRING SUSPENSION OF VEHICLES Filed Oct. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Aug. 18, 1925. 7

U ST Al LEONARD "EUGENE COWEY,

1,55dl5i when:

OF KEWGA RDENS, ENGLAND.

SPRING SUSPENSION OF VEHICLES.

Application filed October? To all 4507:0027, may concern Benita dUlOWlh that I. LEONARD.. EUGENE Gowns, a subjected the liking of Great Britain, residin g Archer VVorhs St-ation. Avenue,--Kew Gardens, in v the county of Surrey. England, .v have ,inven ted certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to the Spring-Suspensi on 01". .Vehicles, of which the followingiis a. specification.

Thisiinvention ,relatesto vehicles ofthe kind in which their-amenr chassis -.is resiliently, supported by .means of long leaf:

According to one feature of the present inventionlong single leaf or blade springs oi this character are superimposed, above one another end arranged on oppositesides of the w ehicle framenin such manner :tl'iat the superimposed springs; are capable: of slight relative movement with respect to each other.

Friction; strips composed of any suit-able.

material may be :inserted 1 between each pair of springs;

If desired, theends of the springs may be curved outwardly in planv so asto provide for cases Where the vehicle hesa narrow frame anda; ide Wheel track as inthe case.

of Ford oars. i v

Superimposed springs of this character bvWhich-damping effects are obtained; may

beemployed-with anypofthe various constructional ormsof the invention, described in my prior UnitedhStates; Patents Nos. 151775980 and '1A:35,915.

According to :afur-then.feature of the present invention andin the :caseof railway orwtramn ay veh1clesuor trucks thesprings are composed of {non-laminated or solidbars of suitable cresse section such as Isscction 0 which are disposed on oppositesidesot the vehicle frame; with}. their ends, attached to the'support ion the axlebearingw svhichcar: riesathe grease box. The springs may also be attached to the vehicle frame in any rol the Ways describe-d in-,mv vprior. United StatesPatents Nos.-.1,377.,980 and 1,435,915

3, 1921. Serial No. 504,974.

andthev may eitherbe disposed side byside.

as describedinthe aforesaid prior specifica tions ,orfelse'th-ey maybe mounted in pairs and!superimposed asdescribed in the. pres.- ent speclficatlon. Then superimposed the necessity tor; prov ding dampers is dispensed uwith. but in cases Whererthe springs are disposed sideby side da npersniavbe usedit necessary. In either case the horn, plates commonly usedin connection with suchve-l 1 hicles mav bedispensed with In order thatthe said invention may v be;

clearly understood and readily carried into eli'ectuthe S{1H1Q.Wlll now be described more fully. with reference to the accompanying drawings which .show severalconstructional forms .of othe present invent-ion. and in Wh1ch:

Figure l is an elevation and,

Figure, 2 is a plan oftheuspring suspension or a motor .roadwehrcle constructed ac- .,cording to the present invention;

F1gure3 is a. sectional end elevation; Figured is an elevation and.

Figures 5 and. 6 are ,detailvieWs on. an Y enlargedgscaleofa suitable form of support-.

. ing bracket tor .usein connecting the springs to the chassis.

FlgHI QZJS a sect1onal,elevation and Figure 8 is a part sectionalend vievwonnn Z enlarged .scale of one form of connecting means for.attaohing the rear ends ofthe,

springs to the rear axle.

Figure 9. is .an elevation, Figure 10 is: an .,e11largecl view showing. the. connection be: tween thesprings and the rear axle, )and .1

Figure 1 0 is a; plan of part otthe chassisof a motor roadvehicle showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 10 ,isa detail View showing 1n ployed. in Figure .10.. for atta-chiiugthe sectional 1elevationthe connecting means emsprings onthe near side of the vehicle to the front axle: V

Figure 11 is an end view, Figure 12 is an elevation and. Figure 13 is plan of the y.

i modifiediormoct supporting bracket or connectlng means shown-at Figure 9.

then alternative constructional Iorms of the present invention, and andl5l are views on an enlarged scaleshow- .ing. the connections, between the front :and

.' rearaXlesI -at Figures 141- and 15 respectively; p

.. Figures 16* being? View on an enlarged Figures 14,. 15 and lti are elevations of 9 K part of a motor chassis showino' three :iuia

scale showing the connections to the rear axle in the form of the invention illustrated at Figure 16.

Figure 17 is an elevation showing the invention applied to the frame of a railway Waggon, and

Figure 1'7 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 17.

Figure 18 is an elevation showing the invention applied to the frame of a railway wagon and illustrating a friction strip located between the upper and lower springs.

A. is the frame or chassis of the vehicle. B B are the wheels. 0 is the front axle and D is the rear axle. E is the upper spring and F is the lower spring, the two springs being superimposed as shown and a set of springs being provided on each side of the vehicle. G, G, G G are brackets by means of which the springs are connected at two points between their ends to the frame or chassis.

In the embodiment of the invention shown at Figures 1 to 8 the front ends of the springs E and F which are constituted by solid or non-laminated bars of rectangular cross section are rigidly attached to the front axle C by means of bolts 0, c and nuts 0, c. The lower spring F extends from the front axle G to the rear axle D where it is slidably mounted in a support it which allows of endwise movement of the spring. The support it as shown more clearly at Figures 7 and 8 comprises a tubular part it formed integral with the rear axle D and provided with slots 72 of larger area than the end of the spring F. Mounted within the tubular part h is a pivot pin 71. which is flanged at one end it and screw threaded at the other, the pivot pin being held in place by a nut and washer h and h respectively.

The pivot pin h is also formed with a slot 71/7 of approximately the same cross sectional area as that of the spring F and within the slot h the rear end of the spring F is slidably mounted. Owing to this arrangement endwise movement of the spring F is provided for while the pivot pin h can. turn within the tubular part it to permit of relative movement between the pin h and the axle D. The uppe spring E is shorter than the lower spring F and mounted bet-ween the two springs is a third short spring H the front end of which extends beyond the front bracket Gr while its rear end is secured to the spring F by means of a U-shaped clip I which encircles the two springs.

In order to prevent pitching the three springs E, F and H are secured together at the centre by a U-shaped clip J which comprises a rubber washer Each bracket G (Figures 3 to 6) eompriss a box-like structure, the upper half 9 of which is cast integral with a. flanged web by which the bracket is bolted to the chassis A. The lower half of the bracket 9 is secured to the upper part 9 by means of bolts and lock nuts 9. parts 9, g of the bracket are two antirolling plates each constituted by angle pieces 9 9 connected together at their ends by cross pieces g, g. Each angle piece g is formed with a U-shaped slot g so as to clear the clamping bolts f. The angle pieces g as shown at Figure 3, abut against the sides of the three superimposed springs E, F and H, and mounted between the upper spring E and the top of the bracket is a rubber pad 9 a similar rubber pad g being located between the lower spring F and the bottom of the bracket. The rubber pads g and 9 allow of slight twisting movements being transmitted from end to end of the springs while twisting or rolling movements of considerable amplitude which may be set up are resisted by the combined action of the antirolling plates and the rubber pads g and g", as, owing to the clearance slots g the plates can move relatively to the parts 9, g of the. bracket G, and thereby spread the load over the rubber. In this embodiment of the invention torque and radius rods may be provided at the rear ends of the springs, but radius or torque rods at the front ends are unnecessary. It is preferred, however, to apply this form of the invention to a motor car chassis which comprises an enclosed tubular shaft and torque tube K in which case both the rear ends of the springs take the side load and resist rolling action.

lntlie modification shown at Figures 9 and 10 a friction strip L composed of wood or other suitable material is inserted between the upper and lower springs E and F. The friction strip L extends beyond the front and rear brackets G and the springs E and F, and friction strip L, are held together at the centre of the chassis by means of a rubber faced clip J. A clip I is also disposed between the reduced rear end 2' of of the friction strip L and the lower spring F. In this embodiment of the invention the front ends of the springs on the offside of the chassis are rigidly connected thereto by means of a bolt N which passes through the centre of the springs and through the axle C, the springs being also held against lateral displacement by means of a pair of bolts 71, n which pass through the axle at their lower ends and through a connecting plate a at their upper ends. The front ends of the springs on the near side of the chassis are connected together by a bolt M while the lower spring F is formed with an opening through which a. pivot pin M is passed the ends of the pivot pin being bolted to upstanding flanges M M on the front axle.

Between the upper and lower The rear ends of the-springs on each side of thechassis are-connected to thefi-axle l) in such manner that the :topspring E can slide relatively to theaxleand to the lower spring Tothi-s end-the lower spring F is mounted on a swivelling axle pad and between the upper spring E -and the-lower spring 1* a crossbar O'flS prov ded extending from side to side of the spring. Above the upper spring F a pairof plates 0 O are also provided and, througlrthe flanges of the axle pad O, the cross bar O and the plates- O canons-o :O are passed and secured in position by nuts. Mounted on tlre'bolts O and located between the cross bar 0 and theplatesO, distance tubesO 0*. Owing to this arrange-- ment the end of the upper spring E is capable ofendwise movement. on the cross bar 0; O is a register p1n WlHCll passes through the lower spring .5 and registers with a hole in the axle pad 0. The springs are located on either side of the'springs and Y which pass through a plate g Owing to this arrangement the springs on the off side of the vehiclejtakethe torque of thezfr'ont axle while thesprings on the near sideof the vehicle are free to turn on the pivot pin M"relatively'-to the axle so as to allow oftwisting movements. Both, the rear ends of the springs take vthe side thrust and radius action of theback axlebut torque rods for the back axle are IQClUll'GCl."

In the embodiment shown at Figure 1 ltheua and lower s )TlIl S E and F are secured to each other and to" the rear axlebyuneans of a 'U-bolt P,'wh1ch enc1rcles the axle and the ends of which pass through a plate P. At the front end o'fjthe axlethe lower spring on each side of the car is rigidly secured to theaxleC while'the up per spring isadapted to slide longitudinally relatively thereto; longitudinal movement a recess Q is formed in the;lower face of the upper sprinpyE Topermit of such through which recess a plate@ bolted-to and=also througlra plate 9 Owin to this arrangement both therear ends of the. spring take the.torque thrust and vradius action, so that the useof torqueand radius rods at the rear ends of the car is dispensed .7" i' with.

In theexample shown. at Figure. a

friction strip composed of .wood or other suitable material is located 1 between .the upper and lower springs E and F. springs E and F are connected to the chassis: at two points between. the ends thereof. by. means of tlangedibrackets G containinga strip of rubber g at the upper end thereof which bears upon the upper spring and a strip of rubber g which bears againstthe lower face of thespring F. The front .ench of thelower springF is rigidlysecured .to the front axle C, while-the frontend of .the

upper spring E is adapted to slidelonghv tudinally on a friction plate R located be, tween theupper and lower springsand 1 bolted to the axle. A rubber facedclip; J is provided towards the front end of. the springs. is rigidly secured to the axle D while the a rear end of the lower springis adapted to slide between friction plates S, S"spaced apart by-distance pieces S attached to the axle by a U-bolt S S is a register peg by: which theupper springE is securedto the axle. i

In this constructionthe rearends of the springs take the torque,- sidethrust and...

radius action.

In the embodiment of the invention shown at Figure 16 the front ends of the. upper and lower springs E and F are bolted to each other and to the front axle- At 1.. their rearends thebottom springs F are .l' rigidly secured to the rear aXle,'-while the. rear end of the upper spring E is capable of longitudinal movement relatively to the lower spring. To permit of such movement a plate T is provided located between the. rear endsof the upper and lower springs. the plate T and the lower spring I being securedto the axle bymeans of a register peg T. Both springs also attached to 1 the axle by means of a LJ-boltT and cross .1 plates T distance P186651 T belng provided between the cross plates T and the plate T. Rubber faced clips J are provided at the centre and-towards the end of the springs while the springs are secured to roc the chassis at two points between the ends thereof by-a similar construction of bracket to that described witlrreference to Figure 14.

10; In this construction the rear ends of the.

springs take torque side thrust, and thrust and radius action, the front ends also taliing both torque and radius actions.

At Figure 17 which shows the invention applied to a railway Waggon, the upper and The The upper spring at itslrearend lower springs E and F are in this instance constituted by bars of I-section which are superimposed as before, the lower spring or I-bar F being rigidly secured at its front and rear ends to flanges on the front and rear axle bearings while the front end of the upper spring is rigidly attached to the lower I-bar by means of bolts and nuts. The rear end of the upper I-bar is capable of longitudinal movement with respect to the lower spring F. On the opposite side of the vehicle the converse arrangement is adopted that is to say the upper spring is bolted to the lower spring at its rear end and is left free at its front end. The I-bars are secured to the frame of the vehicle at two points between the ends thereof by means of brackets G, G the construction of which is similar to that described with reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. A rubber faced clip J is also provided at the centre of the springs.

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A spring suspension for vehicles comprising long superimposed solid bars disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle frame, means connecting said superimposed bars to the vehicle frame, means attaching the ends of said springs to the front and rear axles in such manner that they are capable of slight longitudinal movement with respect to one another, and friction strips inserted between said superimposed bars and acting as damping means.

2. A spring suspension system for vehicles comprising superimposed continuous non-laminated bars disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle frame, means connecting said springs at two points to the vehicle f 'ame in such manner as to permit of slight relative mov ment between the superimposed bars and the vehicle frame, means connecting the other end of said bar to the other of said axles in such manner as to permit of slight longitudinal movement of said bar relatively to the other superimposed bar and to said axle, and friction strips inserted between said pair of superimposed bars for the purpose specified.

A spring suspension for vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars which extend from the front to the rear axle, means connecting said bars to the frame in a nonrigid or flexible manner, means connecting one end of each of said superimposed bars to one of the axles in a rigid manner and means connecting the other end of one bar to the other axle in such manner as to allow said bar to move longitudinally relatively to the other bar.

4. A spring suspension for vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars which extend from the front to the rear axle, means connecting said bars to the frame in a nonrigid or flexible manner, means connecting one end of each of said superimposed bars to one of the axles in a rigid manner, means connecting the other end of one bar to the other axle in such manner as to allow said bar to move longitudinally relatively to the other bar and friction strips inserted between the superimposed bars and acting as damping means.

5. A spring suspension system for vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars of I-section disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle frame, a front and a rear axle bearing, means connecting said bars at their ends to said front and rear axle bearings, said connecting means permitting said superimposed springs to have slight rela tive movement with respect to one another.

6. A spring suspension for vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars of I-section disposed on opposite sides of the vehicleframe, a front and a rear axle bearing, means connecting said bars at their ends to said front and rear axle bearings, means permitting said superimposed springs to have slight relative movement with respect to one another and friction strips composed of any suitable material inserted between each superimposed pair of springs.

7. A spring suspension for vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars which extend from the front to the rear axle, means connecting one end of each of said superimposed bars to one of the axles in a rigid manner, means connecting the other ends of said bars to the other axle in such manner as to allow the bars to move longitudinally relatively to each other, brackets comprising resilient material connecting said superimposed bars to the frame of the vehicle and anti-rolling plates which serve to distribute the load over said resilient mate rial.

8. A spring suspension for motor vehicles comprising superimposed solid bars dispose-d on opposite sides of the vehicle frame with their ends attached to the front and rear axles respectively, means connecting one end of each superimposed bar to one of the axles in a rigid manner, means connecting the other end of each bar to the other axle in such manner as to allow the bars to move longitudinally relatively to each other, means connecting said superimposed bars at two points between their ends to the vehicle frame, resilient material located between said bar and said connecting means, and other means serving to distribute the load evenly over said resilient material.

LEONARD EUGENE COXVEY. 

